A BRIEF HISTORY OF CLIMATE CHANGE RELATED POLICY¹

2007-2008

At the 13th Conference of the Parties, in Bali, the Parties adopted the Bali Road Map the "breakthrough the world was waiting for", a package of forward-looking decisions toward a secure climate future. The package includes: the "Bali Action Plan" which charts the course and time framework for a new negotiating process with aim to be achieved by 2009 for Copenhagen's COP; address AWG-LCA negotiations and their 2009's deadline as to enable full, effective and sustained implementation of the Convention through long-term cooperative action; address AWG-KP process on means that may be available to Annex I Parties to reach their emission reduction targets under KP; launching of the Adaptation Fund under the Protocol; a decision on reducing emissions from deforestation in developing countries, and outcomes on technology transfer, capacity building, adverse effects of combating climate change, various methodological issues. Over 2008 several climate change talks on the future climate change agrements were held, within the Bali road map: Bangkok/ March; Bonn/June; Accra/August.

2005-2007

The Kyoto Protocol entered into force on 16 February 2005, ratified by 163 Parties, including 37 Annex I parties, representing 61.6% Annex I GHG emissions in 1990. At COP 11 (i.e. the Conference Of the Parties to UNFCCC) and COP/MOP 1 (i.e. the Conference Of the Parties serving as the Meeting Of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol), held in Montreal, Nov-Dec. 2005, it was agreed on a process to consider future action under the UNFCCC and the Marrakesh Accords were formally adopted. The issue on "Reducing emissions from deforestation in developing countries (RED)" entered the UNFCCC agenda. A major focus of COP 12 and COP/MOP 2 (Nairobi, November 2006) was the long term action on climate change and the development of a framework for action after the first commitment period. During 2007 it was released the IPCC 4th Assessment Report.

1998-2004

Parties began negotiating the complex rules and operational details governing how countries will reduce and measure their emissions. After lengthy negotiations, at COP 7 (Marrakesh, Oct.-Nov. 2001) an agreement was reached on the Marrakesh Accords, i.e., a package of draft decisions on many key issues (flexible mechanisms, reporting requirements, methodologies in LULUCF sector) to be adopted by Parties at the first COP/MOP. The Accords also addressed support for developing countries (capacity building, technology transfer, responding to the adverse effects of climate change), and the establishment of three funds - the Least Developed Countries Fund, Special Climate Change Fund, and Adaptation Fund. At COP 8, COP 9 and COP 10 delegates further agreed on many other rules and procedures, including afforestation and reforestation activities under the CDM, the CDM Executive Board, the technology transfer and the UNFCCC's financial mechanism.

1997

At COP3 in Kyoto (Dec. 1997) the Kyoto Protocol was adopted. The protocol shares the UNFCCC's objective, principles and institutions, but significantly strengthens the Convention by committing Annex I Parties to individual, legally-binding targets to limit or reduce their GHG emissions. Only Parties to the Convention that have also become Parties to the Protocol, however, will be bound by the Protocol's commitments, once it comes into force. The individual targets for Annex I Parties add up to a total cut in GHG emissions of at least 5.2% from 1990 levels in the commitment period 2008-2012. The Protocol also establishes three flexible mechanisms to assist Annex I Parties in meeting their national targets cost-effectively: an emissions trading system; the Joint Implementation (JI) of emissions-reduction projects between Annex I parties; the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), which allows for emissions reduction projects to be implemented in non-Annex I parties (developing countries).

1994-1995

The UNFCCC, came into force in March 1994, sets the objective of stabilizing atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases (GHG) at levels that would prevent "dangerous" human interference with the climate system. The Convention divides countries into two main groups: those that are listed in its Annex I, and those that are not (non-Annex I). Annex I Parties are the industrialized countries who have historically contributed the most to climate change, and are committed to adopting national policies and measures with the non-legally binding aims. The highest decision-making authority of the UNFCCC is the Conference of the Parties (COP). A Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technical Advice (SBSTA) and a Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI) have been established to give advice to the COP. At the first COP (Berlin, Mar./Apr. 1995), Parties launched a new round of talks to decide on stronger and more detailed commitments for industrialized countries.

1990-1992

In its First Assessment Report (1990), the IPCC confirmed that human-induced climate change was a threat. Following the request for political action, the UN General Assembly formally launched negotiations on a convention on climate change. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), adopted by consensus in May 1992, was opened for signature at the UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro (June 1992).

1988

Establishment of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to assess scientific, technical and socio- economic information relevant for the understanding of climate change, its potential impacts and options for adaptation and mitigation.

1979

The First World Climate Conference (Geneva, Feb. 1979) presented the first evidence of the negative effects of human activity on the climate.